Laois can look forward to Carlow clash

July 01, 2007

Laois set up a date with Carlow in the ESB Leinster MFC decider by recording a comfortable double scores victory (2-16 to 1-8) over a disappointing Offaly side at O'Moore Park, Portloaise on Saturday evening.
Laois ……………. 2-16
Offaly …………… 1-8
Laois look to be on the verge of regaining their provincial domination at minor level on the evidence of this highly impressive eleven-point demolition of last years finalists Offaly.
It didn't look too promising for Laois in the early stages as Daniel Curram found the net after 10 minutes but it proved to be a false dawn for the Offaly as the O'Moore county soon settled into a rhythm and with Donie Kingston in fine point scoring form they raced into a 0-12 to 1-2 interval advantage.
The second half followed a similar script with Laois continuing to point at their leisure and when former Notts Forest and Celtic soccer star James Doyle netted in the 57th minute, Laois had build up an impressive tally on the scoreboard
Laois will now enter the decider with surprise packages Carlow in buoyant mood and if they turn in a similar performance to this, they could well be crowned provincial kingpins once again.
Laois - M. Webster; R. Kehoe, J. Mulhare, J. O'Connor; K. Lillis, C. Boyle (0-1), Z. Tuohy; S. Ramsbottom, J. O'Loughlin (0-1); K. Farrell (0-1), D. Kingston (0-5), B. Smith (1-2); S. Miller, C. Meredith (0-5), E. Kelly. Subs - J. Doyle (1-1) for Miller, I. Whelan for Smith, D. Lowry for Ramsbottom, B. Glynn for Tuohy, C. Delaney for Meredith.
Offaly - I. Duffy; D. Murphy, L. Brennan, M. Young; B. Geraghty, G. Dunne, D. Brady; C. Egan, R. Allen; N. Dunne (0-6), M. Mangan (0-1), B. Kelly; S. Pender, D. Currams (1-0), B. Lonergan. Subs - A. Sullivan (0-1) for Geraghty, A. Murphy for Currams, A. Murphy for Mangan, N. Browne for Allen, E. Marsden for Lonergan.
Referee - P. Daly (Westmeath).